lizziedog1
Member
The debate over the effectiveness of birdshot against two-legged targets has been covered quite a bit.
What about its effectiveness for defense against four-legged creatures?
Most of the hunting I do is for upland game. Hence, the gun in hand is ususally a scattergun loaded with shells containing small projectiles. Very effective against small feathered targets, but what about larger fur bearing things?
Many areas I hunt in have free-ranging cattle. Actually, if I spot them, I'll try to find another area to hunt in. But sometimes I don't seem any until after I have started the hunt.
Cows tend to move away as if they spot me. There can be a couple of exceptions. Bulls and cows with calves. I know killing or injurying someones cows can be costly. But my life is even more valuable to me.
We also have mountain lions and black bear here. Granted, the odds of seeing any of these animals is remote. As I enter an area that has had sings of cougar activities, I'll fire a shotgun round into the air. I figure that should back any large cat away.
Going back to the subject of this thread.
If some large mammal was to pounce on a hunter armed only with birdshot, does he have any chance. Sure, having a large caliber handgun might help, but if the attack comes quickly, using the gun in hand may be the only option.
I know some bird hunters pocket a couple of rounds of buckshot for the "just in case" moment. Again, time might not allow for someone to slide some buckshot into their shotgun.
I think that any animal that gets a facefull of birdshot at close range should be persuaded to turn around. While it might not be lethal, it would have to sting. Some cattlemen around here have told me that an angry bull might be made angrier by such an act.
So, how effective do you all think birdshot is against larger animals in an attack? Where would you try to place the shot? Would you shoot early to buy yourself time or wait for the animals to get up close for maximum effectiveness?
What about its effectiveness for defense against four-legged creatures?
Most of the hunting I do is for upland game. Hence, the gun in hand is ususally a scattergun loaded with shells containing small projectiles. Very effective against small feathered targets, but what about larger fur bearing things?
Many areas I hunt in have free-ranging cattle. Actually, if I spot them, I'll try to find another area to hunt in. But sometimes I don't seem any until after I have started the hunt.
Cows tend to move away as if they spot me. There can be a couple of exceptions. Bulls and cows with calves. I know killing or injurying someones cows can be costly. But my life is even more valuable to me.
We also have mountain lions and black bear here. Granted, the odds of seeing any of these animals is remote. As I enter an area that has had sings of cougar activities, I'll fire a shotgun round into the air. I figure that should back any large cat away.
Going back to the subject of this thread.
If some large mammal was to pounce on a hunter armed only with birdshot, does he have any chance. Sure, having a large caliber handgun might help, but if the attack comes quickly, using the gun in hand may be the only option.
I know some bird hunters pocket a couple of rounds of buckshot for the "just in case" moment. Again, time might not allow for someone to slide some buckshot into their shotgun.
I think that any animal that gets a facefull of birdshot at close range should be persuaded to turn around. While it might not be lethal, it would have to sting. Some cattlemen around here have told me that an angry bull might be made angrier by such an act.
So, how effective do you all think birdshot is against larger animals in an attack? Where would you try to place the shot? Would you shoot early to buy yourself time or wait for the animals to get up close for maximum effectiveness?